Go Ahead (2020) 以家人之名
Directed by Ding Ziguang, starring Tan Songyun as Jianjian, Song Weilong as Ling Xiao, Zhang Xincheng as Ziqiu, Tu Songyan as Li Haichao, Zhang Xilin as Ling Heping, Sun Yi as Mingyue, He Ruixian as Tang Can.
Watched 19 October - 29 December 2024 — 40 episodes (VIKI PASS)
*Finally finished this popular Chinese drama with a found-family theme. It starts very strong, but loses steam when romance comes into play. I like a romantic subplot, yet I was disappointed with the development of the romance between Jianjian and Ling Xiao (it was unconvincing). All of a sudden they are a couple. I would have loved to see scenes with Jianjian realising she has romantic feelings for Ling Xiao. Sad to say I didn't get heart-fluttering feels when they became a couple (normally I would be anxious to see them get together) and I wasn't particularly looking forward to their scenes.
*It didn't help that I didn't really like the actor Song Weilong and I wasn't impressed with his acting skills. Luckily I like the actress Tan Songyun and her vibrant energy, and it was fortunate that the series' focus was never on the romance (also, Tan Songyun made the romance bearable) and that there was no uncomfortable love triangle with the second brother Ziqiu.
*As a family drama, this is really good. I love how the 'siblings' stand by each other. The scene, for instance, where Jianjian and Ziqiu wait for Ling Xiao with a cake to celebrate his birthday is heartwarming.
*The two dads are truly great. Especially Tu Songyan as Li Haichao steals the show and has become one of my fave dads from all dramas I've seen so far. It broke my heart when Li Haichao says he's not a qualified dad, that he can't do anything for his kids but cooking. LOVE his relationship with his 'adopted' son Ziqiu, it's the highlight of the show for me. I cried so many times during their scenes together. Ziqiu is my fave brother, also the actor Zhang Xincheng impresses so much more than Song Weilong. I love how Ziqiu takes Ling Xiao's little sister under his wing and lets her work in his café.
*I do love the child actors. Ling Xiao as a kid is much nicer.
*Although I was less interested in the stories of Jianjian's roommates Mingyue and Tang Can, they became ultimately compelling.
*The redemption of the mother is a big theme here. Luckily mother-child relationships improved for Mingyue, Ling Xiao and Ziqiu. I especially love the relationship between Ziqiu and his mother. He was so badly hurt, so it was great to see him happy again.
*I also love the happy ending of Li Haichao and Ziqiu's mother. They are a cute couple and towards the end of the series Li Haichao is behaving so adorably around her. The final scene with the photo shoot is perfect.
*This series comes in either 40 episodes or 46 episodes, depending on the version you are watching. For TV (typically the unsubbed episodes), show consists of 46 episodes of shorter length. For the web (YouTube, Viki, iQIYI, etc., typically the subbed episodes), the series aired as 40 episodes of 45-minute length.
(Screenshot taken by me from Dramacool.)